Letter to Jon
5 min read
Day 17,562
| The teachings of the Catholic Church deeply emphasize a transformative truth: the divine presence is not just around us but within us. This belief, rooted in the core tenets of the Holy Trinity, affirms that God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the sacred covenant reside within each believer, guiding and nurturing their spiritual journey. |
| God Within Us: The Catholic Church teaches that God’s presence is intrinsic to our very being. We are made in His image, and through our faith and actions, we embody His divine essence. This inner presence of God calls us to a life of holiness and purpose, reflecting His love and grace in all that we do. Catholic Answers: Catholic Answers provides teachings on how God’s presence is intrinsic to our being and how we are made in His image. https://www.catholic.com/qa/how-many-covenants-are-there-in-the-bible |
| * 1 Corinthians 3:16: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” * Colossians 1:27: “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” * John 14:20: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” —–> John 14:23: “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.'” Jesus explains that God the Father will dwell within those who love and obey Him. |
| Jesus Within Us: Through the sacrament of the Eucharist and the teachings of the Gospels, Jesus Christ dwells within us. His sacrifice and resurrection are not merely historical events but living realities that transform our hearts and minds. By embracing His teachings, we allow Christ to live through us, guiding our decisions and actions with His wisdom and compassion. EWTN: EWTN discusses the New Covenant in Christ, emphasizing how Jesus’ death and resurrection establish a personal relationship with believers. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/god-has-made-a-new-covenant-in-christ-8917 |
| * Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” * John 15:4: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” * Ephesians 3:17: “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love.” —–> John 15:4: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” Jesus encourages His disciples to remain in Him, as He remains in them, emphasizing the internal presence of Christ. |
| The Holy Spirit Within Us: The Holy Spirit, bestowed upon us in baptism and renewed through our faith, resides within us as a constant source of guidance and strength. The Holy Spirit inspires us, empowers our spiritual growth, and cultivates the virtues necessary for living a life aligned with divine will. Pope Francis often reminds us that the Kingdom of God grows within us through the work of the Holy Spirit. Catholic Fidelity: Catholic Fidelity explains the progressive revelation of God and how the Holy Spirit guides and nurtures believers. https://www.catholicfidelity.com/apologetics-topics/misc/the-seven-covenants-by-steve-ray/ |
| * Romans 8:11: “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” * 1 Corinthians 6:19: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” * John 14:16-17: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” —–> John 14:16-17: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, who will dwell within the believers. |
| The Covenant Within Us: The sacred covenant, established by God with humanity, is not just a historical pact but a living, breathing promise within our souls. This covenant, renewed through our faith and sacraments, binds us to God and to each other in a relationship of love, trust, and commitment. It calls us to uphold the values of justice, mercy, and righteousness in our daily lives. Catholic Answers: Catholic Answers also covers the New Covenant, which replaces the legal requirements of commandments with a desire to do God’s will, signifying the internalization of the covenant. https://www.catholic.com/qa/how-many-covenants-are-there-in-the-bible |
| * Jeremiah 31:33: “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” * Hebrews 8:10: “This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” * Ezekiel 36:26-27: ““Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. “ —–> Luke 22:20: “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'” Jesus establishes the new covenant through His sacrifice, symbolizing an internalized and enduring relationship with God. |
| Embracing these truths, we recognize that our spiritual journey is profoundly internal. The divine presence within us shapes our moral compass, guides our actions, and empowers us to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and grace. This indwelling of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the covenant signifies that we are never alone; we are constantly accompanied by a divine presence that molds us into reflections of divine love and purpose. |
